Within the framework of the recovery and return to normal life plan, Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination in cooperation with Ambulatory Healthcare Services, a SEHA HealthSystem Facility, conducted a survey of the organization’s affiliated people of determination by contacting them or their families to examine any changes to their physical health and wellbeing, through which, weight increase was identified among people of determination. In light of these results, the organization, in cooperation with Ambulatory Healthcare Services, launched a weight management and nutrition program for people of determination under the slogan “Protect your Health”, at the organization’s headquarters, in line with leadership and Abu Dhabi government directives, and as part of the government’s anti-obesity project. These directives and initiatives ensure the provision of comprehensive support for people of determination, central to which is healthcare provision, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic (Covid 19).
This program comes as a direct response to organization affiliated people of determination experiencing weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of lack of movement, lack of exercise, and staying at home due to the conditions imposed by the pandemic, creating a necessity to develop an integrated health program suitable for people of determination to counteract weight gain. 63 people of determination between the ages of 16 to 50 years, are participating in the program, including affiliates of the organization’s centers in the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions.
The nutrition and weight management program for people of determination includes nutrition and exercise awareness workshops for people of determination and their families, in addition to monthly visits by Huda Al-Shaiba Al-Nuaimi, Senior Dietician at Ambulatory Healthcare Services, to provide them with optimum support. Further to this, weekly telehealth consultations will be provided, which will include dietary recommendations for each participant in order to help them avoid obesity, follow a healthy lifestyle, and increase awareness of healthy eating habits to enable them reach and maintain a healthy body weight.
His Excellency Abdullah Abdulalee Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, said: “The organization is conducting a comprehensive study to monitor the weight of its affiliates, through which the body mass index for overweight and obese people is implemented, highlighting the critical importance of the nutrition and weight management program. He added that the organization aims to educate parents about the dangers of obesity and focus on strengthening the bond between children and parents, while clarifying the important role of parents in weight management”.
He emphasized that, through this program, we can identify associations between disabilities and weight gain, while taking care to limit body mass index increases, toward prevention of obesity. To ensure optimum program effectiveness, the organization will coordinate of the institution with specialized agencies to implement awareness programs and provide psychological counseling for people of determination and their families.
Mr. Mohammed Hawas Al Sadid, Chief Executive Officer at Ambulatory Healthcare Services, said, “We are pleased to work in cooperation with Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination in this initiative, which comes in line with the directives of our leaders; to provide comprehensive care and support for people of determination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we ensured that all their healthcare needs were met, whether those related to the Covid-19 virus or others. We introduced a range of services tailored to ensure their safety and reduce their likelihood of infection, in addition to reducing the need for them to leave their home. These services included medication home delivery, COVID-19 screening and vaccination at home, teleconsultation, and fast-track services at all our healthcare centers.”
Ambulatory Healthcare Services provided awareness workshops on the definition obesity and its effects on health. It also provided advice and guidance to parents and answered their questions about obesity, its risks and how to effectively manage weight in order to reach and maintain an healthy body weight.
